FROM THIS EPISODE

Two vastly popular programs -- Medicare and the Part D Drug Prescription Plan -- started out as confusing and controversial. Now Obamacare is about to become a reality, and this state is ahead of the game. In Southern California, who's going to be eligible? For what? When? We sample the upcoming commercial blitz and go to a town hall designed to help answer those questions. Also, is organized labor "too pale too male and too stale?" We hear about the AFL-CIO convention in downtown LA.

On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, President Obama has delivered his address to the nation on Syria and chemical weapons. We plot the developments that complicated his challenges over the past two days, including Russia's initiative and responses from France, Syria and the US itself.

Banner image: Last week's healthcare reform town hall at Cal State Long Beach provided answers about coverage under the Affordable Care Act. Photo: Saul Gonzalez

It's unlikely that Republicans in Congress will be able to de-fund Obamacare or find other ways to de-rail a train that's about to arrive. California officials say they're on track for implementation. We get a progress report from KCRW's Saul Gonzalez and Jack Hoadley of the Georgetown Health Policy Institute.

At this week's AFL-CIO convention in downtown LA, Richard Trumka is expected to be re-elected president without opposition. He concedes that organized labor has lost its clout as membership has declined and he has a plan for change.